Festival Interviews
Mary Ann Kennedy
THE PRIVILEGE of opening this year's Hebridean Celtic Festival goes to a group who are making waves in the world of Gaelic music, pushing boundaries and proving that the new generation of Gaelic talents are ready to spread their wings and soar – taking both the language and tradition with them to new heights.
Broadcaster-musician Mary Ann Kennedy is renowned throughout Gaeldom being just one of a handful of singers to win both Gold Medals at the Royal National Mod, as well as scooping the prestigious Scots Trad Saltire award amongst others.
Continually at the heart of Scotland's traditional music scene, Mary Ann is poised to blow it apart with her latest collective 'Na Seòid'. Translating as 'The Heroes', it is clear to see why such a moniker has been bestowed upon the seven young men joining Mary Ann, as she herself says: "These are seven young men together who are each great musicians in their own rights.
"They are all involved in various bands and/or in teaching both music and the language, so they're not just paying lip service to the language. It's very much a part of their lives and that's what makes what we do on stage different; simply, it's part of who we are and what we do."
'Mary Ann Kennedy & Na Seòid' were brought together last year during the annual Blas festival, and have already recorded their debut album, launched it to huge acclaimed during this year's Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, and are getting set for its release in April.
"I've never made an album so quickly in my life," continues Mary Ann.
"But we have such a spark on stage and we wanted to catch that freshness so we went for recording a lot of it live in the studios, in single takes, and I think that really comes across in the recording.
"You get a sense of the warmth of the group, and how we sound live. It works and basically what you get on the album is what you'll see on stage."
Speaking of the spark which ignited Mary Ann to form her band of merry men, she explains: "It's something that I'd been thinking about for a while.
"I'm a great fan of people singing together, that's what I enjoy most about music, and I'm especially fond of male voices.
"In the past few decades there have only really been a few men come forward, but things are beginning to change and we're now seeing a new generation of young guys passionate about the language and the music and I think that is something special." Mary Ann continues: "I think that what we're seeing now is the hard work and dedication of previous generations, all the different opportunities and efforts made to develop and support the language paying off.
"The biggest gift that the previous generation have given to today's young musicians is a great confidence; confidence in the language and in the music."
Being cited as 'a gathering of Gaeldom's young lions', 'Na Seòid' is certainly the type of band legends are made from. Gathered with Mary Ann are Lochinver talent James Graham (Young Trad Winner 2004); the multi-skilled Griogair Labhruidh; Mod Seann-Nos Medallist 2007 Tormod MacArthur from Inverness; Skipinnish band member Angus MacPhail from Tiree; Double Gold Medallist South Uist lad Gillebride MacMillan and Lewis talents Norrie MacIver (Bodega and BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Winner 2006) and Double Gold Medallist and Diamh band member Calum Ailig MacMillian.
And for Calum Ailig, from Point, opening his home island's very own music festival is something of a dream come true. "It's great!" he enthuses. "To be opening the festival is a real honour for us, and for myself and Norrie in particular we're really glad to be getting the opportunity to take 'Mary Ann Kennedy & Na Seòid' home to Lewis, especially for such an occasion."
Mary Ann shares Calum Ailig's zeal: "Oh Lord, to open the Heb Celt, it's fantastic – what more could we ask for!
"In the spread of where we all come from there's not only a big west coast representation, but also a big Western Isles representation, so it is brilliant that not only are we getting to play such a big festival, but that it's also a sense of home coming for many of us.
"And An Lanntair is just such a fantastic venue – not only the building itself, but the people involved, everyone is so welcoming and hospitable. We just can't wait," she adds.
Interview courtesy of Stornoway Gazette
